The Cowboy's Forever Wish

by Lori Wilde

  “Then I’ll start.” He took a deep breath, then holding her gaze, he said, “I really wanted to marry you. I was desperately in love with you, but we had both just graduated high school. My father wanted me to go to college, and he figured if we got married, I’d never end up going. So he talked me into breaking the engagement. I feel terrible for how it happened and how I handled it.”

  “You mean calling me with the news in the middle of the night and then disappearing?” She said these words flatly, almost as if she didn’t care, but Tyler knew better. He could sense the tension she was feeling.

  “Yes, I mean that. I did a terrible thing, and I’m truly sorry. I don’t know what else to say, but just because I did something incredibly hurtful and stupid as a kid doesn’t mean I’ll do the same thing now as an adult.” He leaned forward, needing her to understand. “I have no intention of hurting you or your family. I think this business deal is good for all of us. Sure, it helps me, but it also helps your father and your brother.” After a pause, he added, “And you. It helps you.”

  She sighed, and he couldn’t help wishing he knew what she was thinking. “I know that’s the plan, but—”

  “You’re afraid I’ll do something devious, right? Something to destroy the company?” He laughed, but his laughter died at the look she gave him. He ran his hand through his hair. “Look, Annie, I know we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot. And I apologize, but I’m not out to hurt you or your family. In fact, quite the opposite. I really want to help.”

  “Why us? Why are you even bothering? Don’t you have a law firm in New York that needs you?”

  The truth was the only answer he had. “I’m sick of practicing law. I want to do something different.”

  Her expression didn’t soften. “What about your family? Isn’t your mother upset that you’re leaving your law firm? Not too many years ago, the fact that my dad owned a small horse farm drove your family nuts. Remember that, Tyler?”

  Tyler deserved that, and he knew it. “They were wrong then, and so was I. I should have stopped them. But Mom is very sorry. So am I. What can I do to convince you?”

  Rather than answer his question, she asked, “How can we make sure this deal is fair to us?”

  He didn’t blame her for being suspicious. He knew dropping this bomb on her had to be a shock. The frustrating part was he actually thought he’d made some progress convincing her to trust him over the past few days. He didn’t want to lose that progress.

  “Annie, I think it’s important that you and your family have an attorney on your side who will make sure your interests are protected.”

  Her eyes reminded him of the sea during a storm. “I agree. But why should I trust you?”

  He played the only ace he had. “Because it’s important to your father. He built this business. He made it his life. But now he wants something else, and you can give it to him. Don’t you think he deserves some time off after all he’s given your family over the years?”

  As he watched pain form in her eyes, he knew what he’d said was a low blow. But it was also the truth. Herb Lee wanted this to happen. The capital Tyler had would give Herb financial security. Brett’s new job would enable him to fare well in the deal. And Annie would be able to work for the horse farm full-time.

  That is, if they could get her to agree and to stop fussing. He knew her family didn’t want to proceed with the deal without her approval.

  He also didn’t want to proceed without her approval.

  She finally said, “I need to talk to my parents some more. I haven’t heard what my mother thinks.”

  Tyler nodded. “I understand. That’s fair.” He stood and headed toward the front door. “Everything will work out,” he said, hoping it was true. “So let’s go pick up Courtney and have a nice evening.”

  **

  He was being charming, Annie decided when they pulled up in front of her house after dinner. Tyler had been helpful and fun at the restaurant. They had ended up at a family barbeque restaurant, which was mobbed. Once they were seated, he’d entertained Courtney with a variety of games and funny songs. He had been silly and sweet, and Annie couldn’t help but feel the attraction she always felt near him. What could be more special than a man who was wonderful with children?

  Once Courtney was busy scribbling with crayons supplied by the restaurant, they talked a little about the business deal, but mostly they talked about their lives and their plans. He’d explained why he wanted to leave law, and she’d explained her desire to work with horses full-time.

  As the time passed, she remembered all the reasons she’d fallen for him in the past. Truthfully, the dinner couldn’t have gone better.

  After he parked his truck, Tyler got Courtney out of her car seat. She had long since fallen asleep, so Annie went ahead and opened the front door.

  “Let’s put her in her bed,” she said, leading the way.

  Tyler followed behind her, and once they were in Courtney’s room, he placed her gently on the bed. Annie quickly changed the toddler into her pajamas, and then quietly, they left the room.

  “I’ll get her car seat,” he said after she’d shut the door to the toddler’s room.

  Annie followed him outside. When they reached the side of his truck, he turned to face her.

  “Look up,” he said softly. “And make a wish.”

  Annie did as he said and immediately saw a falling star. Without thinking, she made a wish, just as she always had throughout her life. Although she’d told her friends she thought the practice was silly, she couldn’t stop herself from making a wish.

  For a few minutes, she and Tyler stood outside her house, watching the falling stars. At first, the stars fell fairly often, but when they slowed, Tyler opened the door to the truck and retrieved Courtney’s car seat.

  Once he had it, they headed toward Annie’s car, and Tyler reinstalled the car seat. Annie watched him, unable to think of a thing to say because her mind seemed to have gone blank. All she could think about was how much she wanted to kiss Tyler.

  When he turned to look at her in the pale light from the moon, she found herself holding her breath. She could tell from his expression that he was feeling the same overwhelming desire she felt, and she wasn’t surprised when he leaned toward her.

  “Annie,” he said.

  And then he kissed her. Or she kissed him. She honestly wasn’t sure. All she knew was suddenly they were kissing. And kissing. And kissing.

  The years seemed to slip away, and suddenly Annie felt eighteen again, young and in love. She’d missed Tyler more than she’d realized, and the kiss held so much promise.

  He ran one hand through her hair, and Annie murmured softly. Before she could do anything else, a cry from inside her house pulled them apart. Annie spun on her heel and rushed inside. Courtney was sitting up in bed, crying.

  “Is she okay?” Tyler asked from the doorway.

  Annie hadn’t realized he’d followed her, but she wasn’t surprised he had. She nodded and picked a stuffed animal off the floor. “She woke up, and her aardvark was gone.”

  “There’s a sentence you don’t hear often,” he said with a chuckle.

  Annie laughed softly and rubbed her daughter’s back. “True. But she loves Andy the Aardvark.”

  Tyler nodded. “I can see why. Who wouldn’t love him?”

  His silliness erased any awkwardness she was feeling. Instead, they simply smiled at each other for a few seconds, then Tyler said, “I’d better head out.”

  “Okay.”

  Then, before he could leave, Annie stood and walked over to him. She leaned up and kissed him. “Have a good evening.”

  With a chuckle, he said, “I already have.”

  **

  Annie couldn’t remember the last time her mother had looked so happy. Her smile was almost too big for her face, and Annie had the feeling that her father’s sudden decision to retire wasn’t so sudden after all. Annie had decided to stop by during lunch and talk to her m
other about the sale. But one look at Fran’s face said it all. Like everyone else, she thought it was a great idea.

  “Did they tell you?” her mother asked, that high-voltage smile of hers not wavering at all.

  Annie nodded and wandered into the living room. As she sat in the chair facing her mother, the unsettled feeling she’d had all morning kicked into overdrive. In some corner of her mind, Annie had thought her mother might offer a different perspective. But one look at her mother’s happy face answered any questions she had. “Yes, I know about the deal. But I’m not sure about it.”

  Her mother’s expression crumbled slightly, and Annie felt like a heel. “You don’t think it’s a good idea?”

  “I’m just not sure.” Annie couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt this guilty. But why couldn’t any of them see the potential problems with this idea? Sure, she and Tyler were getting along these days—more than getting along—but so many things could go wrong.

  “Why not?”

  “Lots of reasons. For starters, he knows nothing about the business,” Annie said, stating the most obvious and objective reason she had. “Have you and Dad had time to really think this through?”

  “Yes, we have. You know, your dad has wanted to sell his part of the business for a long time. Tyler’s the perfect solution—he’s got the capital, and we know him. Plus, Tyler’s lived on a ranch and been around horses. In addition, your brother’s new job really sets him up.”

  “Mom, up until a few days ago, the only thing we knew about Tyler was he’s the type to dump his fiancée,” Annie pointed out, not sure why this idea bothered her so much, but it did. Every time she thought she was okay with it, she quickly discovered she wasn’t.

  Her mother shook her head slowly. “That’s not true. Tyler grew up here. We’ve known his family for years.”

  Her family had caught some sort of floating amnesia. None of them had a firm grip on the past. “His parents insisted he not marry me because I wasn’t good enough for him.”

  The frown on her mother’s face deepened. “And you were too young. Look, I know he hurt you, honey. He hurt all of us, but he was a kid. You were a kid. That was a long time ago. Plus, this is different. This is business.”

  “I’m only mentioning the past because I think it shows what could happen.”

  Her mother sighed. “Could happen. Not will absolutely happen. And I’m sorry to hear you feel this way because I think the deal is already set. I told the boys they should talk to you first, but they didn’t want to. Your father thought it would be better to just let you know once the plans were final.”

  And Annie knew exactly why they all thought that—she’d object. Her father, her brother, and Tyler had known she would try to stop it.

  Annie leaned forward in her chair and placed her hand on her mother’s leg. “I’m not trying to cause problems. I just don’t think now is a good time to change anything. Can’t Brett and I buy Dad out of the business?”

  Her mother quoted a price that made Annie’s blood chill. “That’s what Tyler is paying your father. Do you and Brett have that much money?”

  Annie didn’t know anyone who had that much money. “Tyler’s overpaying. The business isn’t worth that much.”

  “He feels it is.”

  Annie started to tell her mother just what she thought of Tyler’s plans, but the front door opened, and her father came in, smiling. Looking at Annie, he said, “I thought you might stop by here at lunch.” He dropped down on the couch next to her mother and gave her a quick kiss.

  “I wanted to know how Mom felt about your selling,” Annie said.

  “Did you know Annie’s upset about it?” her mother asked.

  “Still?” Her father looked so surprised that Annie almost laughed. It had been only a few days since this bombshell had been dropped on her. It was hardly long enough for her to grow accustomed to the idea. She tried one last time. “Are you really sure Tyler is the right person?”

  “Tyler’s the only person interested in our business,” her father said. “Not a lot of people are interested in a small-time horse ranch.”

  That wasn’t true, but Annie would agree that not many people would offer her father and brother the same deal Tyler was. In fact, she was fairly certain no one else would offer them that deal. Looking at the joy on her parents’ faces reinforced what she already knew—the deal was done.

  Annie sighed. “I just wish you’d discussed it with me earlier.”

  “Honey, we know how change upsets you,” her mother said.

  Annie nodded. Yes, they knew that, plus they knew she’d try to talk them out of it. But her parents looked so happy, it would be selfish of her not to at least try to be happy for them. She couldn’t stand in the way of her parents’ future. They deserved this good fortune.

  So she’d hope for the best.

  **

  Tyler loved the smell of a freshly cleaned barn the way some people loved the smell of apple pie. He’d never mentioned this to his friends because they’d think he was crazy, but it was true. That smell immediately filled him with happy memories of the handful of precious days he’d spent over the last few years working with them.

  But he still was as proud of his family’s ranch as a new father was of his baby. Now that he was back in Falling Star and back at the house, he wanted to tend to the ranch so that it would last for generations to come.

  Luckily, his ranch was already set up for the new expansion. The barn near the house was huge, and he had lots of room to build another if needed.

  That was assuming the deal went forward and Annie agreed to it. One thing about Annie—she let people know what she thought. Even when they were teenagers, she’d told him her opinions straight out without any sugarcoating. At that time, the girls at school had tended to fawn over him, so Annie’s dead-on comments had been both annoying and intriguing. When it came right down to it, the reason he’d asked her out in the first place was because she wasn’t impressed by his family or his reputation. She’d seen him differently than other girls had, which had been an unusual experience.

  Tyler was standing in the barn, looking at the house when he saw Annie drive up the driveway. As she parked, he walked across the grass to the front porch. He was happy to see her. Last night had been great, and he only hoped she still felt the same way he did. He hadn’t thought she’d still get to him after all these years, but she did. He liked the sparkle in her eyes and the sound of her laughter. Annie still had the power to kick his pulse into high gear.

  “Hi. What brings you here?” he asked. He waited until she sat in one of the wooden rocking chairs on the front porch, then he sat next to her.

  “We need to talk,” she said, folding her hands in her lap.

  “Sure. About the deal?” he asked.

  “Kind of.” For a few moments, she sighed and just rocked in the chair. Even though she was as pretty as ever, she looked tired, and Tyler felt bad about that. He wanted to stand behind her and rub her neck and temples until her headache disappeared, but he knew better than to try.

  Finally, she said, “Promise me you won’t cheat them.”

  Her comment hurt. He’d thought they’d been making progress the past few days, but she still didn’t trust him. He knew she was attracted to him, but she didn’t trust him. “You know, you may find I’m not as terrible as you expect.”

  She frowned at him. “I know that. I’m just worried.”

  “I know,” he said. “But we could be terrific together.”

  The look she gave him was doubtful. “I guess.”

  “I’ll pick up any work your father’s been doing. Plus, there’ll be enough money to expand. It’s going to be great.” He tried to keep his tone professional, but he couldn’t keep enthusiasm from entering his voice. “Really, think about it. We’ll both be able to spend our days working with horses.”

  “So you’ll work with the horses? Help with the artificial insemination?” she asked.

  Tyle
r shrugged. “Sure. I grew up on this ranch when we ran cattle. I’ve done dirty work before, and I’m willing to do it again.”

  “Well, the vet does most of it for us, but you’d still have a lot to do,” she said. “Not everything can be shuffled off to ranch hands.”

  He was trying to figure out where she was going with this. “I know what will be involved.”

  He could see how tense she was by the expression on her face. “You’re not going to leave, are you?” she asked.

  “No. I won’t leave,” he said. Buying into this business had been a smart decision, not only because he’d make a good profit on his investment, but also because he knew he’d have a terrific time doing it. Unlike with the law firm, on the ranch he’d feel like he was actually accomplishing something.

  She looked at him for a long moment, then she asked, “Is that a promise?”

  Tyler nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I promise I won’t leave.”

  “Okay. Then I’ll agree,” was all she said. She stood, walked to her car, and drove away, leaving Tyler sitting on the porch.

  As he watched her drive away, he made a vow to himself as well. He would keep his promise to Annie . . . no matter what it took.

  Chapter Six

  After talking with Tyler, Annie headed back to the small office she kept in the barn on her family’s ranch. She needed to catch up the books for the month. She’d spent so much time the last few weeks working with a few of her clients that she’d gotten behind on the ones for the ranch.

  Once the deal went through and the business grew much bigger, she might need to reconsider how many other clients she had. There were only so many hours in the day.

  Plus, she really did want to work with the horses. At least sometimes. She loved horses, and she was sad that she rarely had a chance to work with them. Once the new horse farm was really going, there would be lots of births and therefore lots of foals. Watching the newborns always made her feel like anything was possible. One moment, there were newly born, hardly able to stand. The next thing she knew, they were running around the exercise pen like they’d done it for years.